Mississippi Bills

SB 2477 requires competitive bidding for vendors providing goods, services, or technology to the state using funds from Mississippi's Rural Health Transformation Program (federal Public Law 119-21). It mandates that direct state vendors must compete through formal bidding, excluding emergency purchases or exceptions. The bill prioritizes subgrantees in "super rural" zip codes (per CMS), counties with health shortages, high maternal mortality, low income, or lacking hospitals. Additionally, agencies must submit quarterly reports on program spending to the legislature.

SB 2828, the Money Transmission Modernization Act, requires money transmission licensees (such as companies that send money electronically) to charge customers a fee of $7.50 for transactions under $500 or 1.5% of amounts over $500. Licensees must remit these fees quarterly to the Department of Revenue, with half going to the Law Enforcement 287(g) Program Fund (supporting state/local law enforcement partnering with ICE) and half to the State General Fund. The bill mandates licensees to inform customers they can claim an income tax credit for these fees when filing their taxes. This provision would expire on July 1, 2029.

This bill extends the 2026 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature by 30 days beyond the standard 90-day limit. It sets the session to reconvene on April 15, 2026, unless the Speaker of the House and Lieutenant Governor decide it is unnecessary to do so. The resolution also establishes that the legislative session will officially end at 11:59 p.m. on that same date. This procedural measure affects the legislative calendar and determines when lawmakers can continue their work for the year.

HB 1831 authorizes Humphreys County's Board of Supervisors to contribute up to $5,000 from the county's general fund during 2026 to the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation. The foundation uses these funds for cancer prevention education programs. The contribution is optional and requires no action beyond the board's discretion.

HB 1999 extends the expiration date of a local tax in Oakland, Mississippi, from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030. This tax applies to restaurants and convenience stores selling prepared food, with revenues dedicated exclusively to funding tourism, parks, and recreation projects within Oakland. Oakland’s governing authorities must hold a voter election (requiring 60% approval) before implementing the tax. The bill maintains existing funding mechanisms for community amenities without altering the tax rate (2% on sales) or collection process.

HB 1998 extends the expiration date for a 2% hotel/motel tax in Byhalia, Mississippi, from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030. This tax, authorized to fund tourism and parks in Byhalia, applies to hotels and motels with six or more rooms renting to transient guests. The bill does not change the tax rate or collection method but delays when the tax authorization expires. It directly affects Byhalia's local government and hotels/motels operating within the town.

HB 4005 extends the expiration date of Ripley, Mississippi’s existing 2% tax on hotel/motel room rentals and restaurant sales from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2030. This tax, which requires voter approval via a 60% majority in a local election, funds tourism promotion, economic development, and park/recreation facilities. It applies to hotels/motels with six or more rooms and restaurants operating within Ripley. The tax must be collected separately from general city funds, with proceeds dedicated solely to the specified purposes and reported annually.

HB 4003 extends the expiration date of Southaven, Mississippi's 1% restaurant tax from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030. This tax, approved by city voters, applies to sales of beverages and prepared food at restaurants within Southaven and must fund tourism, parks, and recreation initiatives. The bill does not change the tax rate, collection method, or voter approval requirements - it only delays the automatic repeal of the existing law. This extension directly affects Southaven's local government and restaurants operating within the city limits.

HB 4059 extends a 3% sales tax on restaurant sales in Fulton, Mississippi, from 2026 to 2036. This tax, which restaurants must collect from customers, funds tourism promotion and parks/recreation projects within the city. The bill requires city voters to approve the tax via a 60%+ majority vote in an election before implementation. It also authorizes Fulton to issue bonds up to the amount the tax can cover, with all funds kept in a separate special fund for tourism and parks, not the general city budget.